Part:BBa_K274002

Produces a purple pigment (violacein) from L-tryptophane. The operon contains five genes (VioA-E) each with their own ribosome binding sites.

2010 iGEM team Slovenia has further characterised vio operon (Part:BBa_K274002) and vio operon ABCE (Part:BBa_K274004). We have analysed the products of both parts by thinlayer liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (for a detailed description of the procedures see the 2010 iGEM team Slovenia wiki). For results of our experiments see the page experience.

Figure: The violacein biosynthetic pathway. Genes for violacein biosynthesis are arranged in an operon consisting of vioA, vioB, vioC, vioD and vioE. VioA generates an IPA imine from L-tryptophan and VioB converts the IPA imine into a dimer. VioE then acts by transforming the dimer into protodexyviolaceinic acid (PVA), which can be spontaneously converted into a green pigment called deoxychromoviridans. VioD and VioC hydroxylate PVA to form violacein. .